Mustafizur Rahman, the lone representative from Bangladesh in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) auction got a team finally when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roped in him by his base price INR 2 crore (USD240,000 approximately).
For the first time, he would play under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni who enjoyed a legendary status in not only in India but also in the whole cricket world.
After leading India to the title of T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy, Dhoni made CSK the most successful team in IPL history alongside Mumbai Indians.
Chennai will be Mustafizur’s fifth IPL team after playing in Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals last year.
While it was anticipated that Mustafizur, known as Cutter Master, would not get any taker this time around given his form, Chennai was the only team to bid for him. Experts said the slow pitch of Chepauk, the home ground of CSK, is the main reason behind CSK’s move to acquire the service of Mustafizur.
Despite struggling in the sporting pitch, Mustafizur repeatedly proved his credential in slow pitch where his cutter and slower made him almost unplayable even when he goes through bad patch.
CSK earlier during the bid, roped in New Zealand duo Daryll Mitchell for 14 crore INR and new sensation Rachin Ravindra for INR 1.8 crore. They also signed Shardul Thakur for INR. 5.80 crores.
Mustafizur has participated in the IPL In 2016, when he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 1 crore. He bagged 17 wickets in 16 matches in the tournament at an economy rate of 6.9 and helped his team lift the title. He was adjudged the emerging player of the tournament as well.
Later in his stint with Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians he couldn’t show that killer form. However he regained his sublime touch during his stint with Rajasthan Royals, taking 14 wickets.
He thereafter joined Delhi Capitals where he had been benched most of the time. Delhi this year released him ahead of the auction, held in Dubai.
The IPL is scheduled to be played from March 22 to till the end of May. Mustafizur, meanwhile, was granted NOC from March 22 till May 11.
Bangladesh are set to host Sri Lanka in March for two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is. Later in April and May, Bangladesh are scheduled to host Zimbabwe for two Tests along with five T20Is.
Another two fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam were bracketed in INR 75 lakh and INR 50 lakh, respectively but they were not granted the NOC since both of them in Bangladesh’s Test cricket plan unlike Mustafizur.
